Current averaging audio amplifier

ABSTRACT

A current-averaging audio amplifier for vehicles. The current averaging audio amplifier is connectable to a DC power source and a load, and may generally comprise a power input to receive a DC electrical power from the DC power source. The system may further include a voltage converter, such as a boost converter, connected to the power input, such that the voltage converter can receive electrical power from the DC power source. The system also includes a rechargeable battery coupled to the voltage converter, such that the voltage converter charges the rechargeable battery. An audio amplifier can be powered by the rechargeable battery and connectable to supply power to the load, wherein the average power supplied by the rechargeable battery to the audio amplifier in a finite time interval differs from the average power supplied by the DC power source to the voltage converter.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. applicationSer. No. 16/906,139 filed on Jun. 19, 2020. Each of the aforementionedpatent applications, and any applications related thereto, is hereinincorporated by reference in their entirety.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not applicable to this application.

BACKGROUND Field

Example embodiments in general relate to a current averaging audioamplifier System for providing improved power output for use invehicles, such as vehicles with limited electrical power systems.

Related Art

Any discussion of the related art throughout the specification should inno way be considered as an admission that such related art is widelyknown or forms part of common general knowledge in the field.

Amplifiers for providing audio in vehicles, including vehicles with morelimited electrical power systems, have been in use for many years. Dueto the dynamic nature of music, systems that rely on a vehicle'selectrical system may cause problems with such systems when high currentis required. For example, reproducing musical peaks can require up toten times more current than the average current demand on an audiosystem's power supply over a longer time interval. Currently, such peaksmust be supplied by a vehicle's electrical system, which can beproblematic, especially for smaller vehicles with limited electricalpower, although high peak current demand can also cause problems inother vehicles.

SUMMARY

An example embodiment is directed to a current averaging audioamplification system that is connectable to a DC power source and aload, and may generally comprise a power input adapted to receive a DCelectrical power from the DC power source, which may be the power sourceof a vehicle, such as a recreational vehicle. The DC electrical powercomprises a DC input voltage. The system may further include a voltageconverter, which may be a boost converter, the voltage convertercomprising an output and being connected to the power input, such thatthe voltage converter can receive electrical power from the DC powersource, wherein the voltage converter produces a DC output voltage atthe output.

The system also includes a rechargeable battery coupled to the output ofthe voltage converter, such that the voltage converter charges therechargeable battery, and an audio amplifier that is powered by therechargeable battery and connectable to supply power to the load,wherein the average power supplied to the audio amplifier in a finitetime interval differs from the average power supplied by the DC powersource to the power input of the voltage converter. Further, the audioamplifier can be simultaneously powered by the voltage converter and therechargeable battery. In such cases, the voltage converter and therechargeable battery will typically share the current (and thus thepower) that is supplied to the amplifier.

Because the use of a voltage converter and a rechargeable batterycreates a lower, long-term average current draw from the DC powersource, this system can remove the peak current requirements from avehicle's electrical system, whereas in prior systems, musical peaks canrequire up to ten times more current than the average current demand onthe vehicle's electrical system.

In some example embodiments, the voltage converter draws current-limitedpower from the DC power source, and further, the DC output voltage ofthe voltage converter may comprise a regulated voltage. The voltageconverter may have current limiting circuitry, and may further beadapted to receive a user input (i.e., an input that is manuallyadjustable by a user, as opposed to a designed-in and fixed currentlimit) current limit set point. In high-load conditions, the voltageconverter can supply current and power to the audio amplifier up to themanually adjustable current limit set point, and the rechargeablebattery can supply current drawn by the audio amplifier to the extentthat the current exceeds the current limit set point.

In example embodiments where the voltage converter is a boost converter,the voltage output of the rechargeable battery will typically be greaterthan the DC input voltage from the DC power source. Further, the averagepower supplied to the audio amplifier by the rechargeable battery in thefinite time interval is greater than the average power supplied by theDC power source to the power input of the voltage converter, typicallywhen the finite time interval is short. Moreover, the average powersupplied to the audio amplifier in the finite time interval can also beless than the average power supplied by the DC power source to the powerinput of the voltage converter, typically when the finite time intervalis long (relative to the above-referenced “short” interval).

In some example embodiments, the audio amplifier comprises a power inputthat is directly connected to the rechargeable battery, and therechargeable battery can be connected in parallel with the output of thevoltage converter so that the converter and the battery can both supplypower and current to the audio amplifier via a direction connection tothe power input of the audio amplifier. In other embodiments, the systemmay include a second voltage converter, typically a boost converter,coupled to and receiving power from the rechargeable battery, thesecond, boost converter coupled to provide power to the audio amplifier,wherein the power provided to the audio amplifier has a DC voltagegreater than a voltage of the rechargeable battery. The second boostconverter may be a single stage converter, or it may comprise multipleboost stages connected in series, parallel, or any combination of suchconnections.

In addition to different currents, over any finite time interval, thepower used by the amplifier or delivered to the load can differ from thepower, such as the average power, supplied by the DC power source to theamplification system. For example, the average power supplied to theaudio amplifier in the finite time interval can be greater than theaverage power supplied by the DC power source to the power input of thevoltage converter, typically when the finite time interval is short.Moreover, the average power supplied to the audio amplifier in thefinite time interval can also be less than the average power supplied bythe DC power source to the power input of the voltage converter,typically when the finite time interval is long (relative to theabove-referenced “short” interval).

In some example embodiments of the audio amplification system, thevoltage converter, the rechargeable battery, the boost converter and theaudio amplifier may be contained in a single, mechanical enclosure,which may be a weatherproof or waterproof (or water resistant)enclosure. In other embodiments, the voltage converter and therechargeable battery may be contained in a single enclosure of the typediscussed above. In addition, the rechargeable battery may have a largecapacity, such that it can power the amplifier for an hour or more, orfor an extended time period, without connection to the DC power source.This allows for the audio amplification system to be disconnected from avehicle and used as a portable, detachable audio system that can be usedbeyond the vehicle. To accomplish this, the audio amplification systemcan be made with connectors or a connection that can be easily andquickly disconnected from a vehicle's power system, and further, theenclosure may be made for easy carrying and physical disconnection fromthe vehicle as well.

Still other embodiments may include a method of using an audioamplification system of any configuration, including those mentionedabove and herein, the method comprising receiving current from a DCpower source at the voltage converter; using the voltage converteroutput to provide a charging current to the rechargeable battery; usingpower from the rechargeable battery to provide power to the audioamplifier; receiving an input signal at the audio amplifier; amplifyingthe input signal using the audio amplifier; and providing the amplifiedinput signal to the load, wherein the power supplied to the load by theaudio amplifier can exceed the power supplied by the DC power source fora finite period of time.

Other embodiments of the method may further include using power from therechargeable battery to provide power to second voltage converter, suchas a boost converter, and then providing power from the second boostconverter to the audio amplifier.

There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, some of the embodiments ofthe current averaging audio amplifier in order that the detaileddescription thereof may be better understood, and in order that thepresent contribution to the art may be better appreciated. There areadditional embodiments of the current averaging audio amplifier thatwill be described hereinafter and that will form the subject matter ofthe claims appended hereto. In this respect, before explaining at leastone embodiment of the current averaging audio amplifier in detail, it isto be understood that the current averaging audio amplifier is notlimited in its application to the details of construction or to thearrangements of the components set forth in the following description orillustrated in the drawings. The current averaging audio amplifier iscapable of other embodiments and of being practiced and carried out invarious ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology andterminology employed herein are for the purpose of the description andshould not be regarded as limiting.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Example embodiments will become more fully understood from the detaileddescription given herein below and the accompanying drawings, whereinlike elements are represented by like reference characters, which aregiven by way of illustration only and thus are not limitative of theexample embodiments herein.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a prior art audio amplification system foruse in a vehicle.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a current averaging audio amplifier systemin accordance with another example embodiment.

FIG. 3 is another block diagram of a current averaging audio amplifiersystem in accordance with an example embodiment.

FIG. 4A is a block diagram of a portion of a current averaging audioamplifier system and an enclosure that may be employed in accordancewith an example embodiment.

FIG. 4B is another block diagram of a current averaging audio amplifiersystem and enclosures that may be employed in accordance with an exampleembodiment.

FIG. 4C is a block diagram of a current averaging audio amplifier systemand an enclosure that may be employed in accordance with an exampleembodiment.

FIG. 4D is a block diagram of a current averaging audio amplifier systemand an enclosure that may be employed in accordance with an exampleembodiment.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram of a portion of a current averaging audioamplifier system in accordance with an example embodiment.

FIG. 6 is another block diagram of a portion of a current averagingaudio amplifier system in accordance with an example embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a current averaging audio amplifiersystem in accordance with an example embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a side view of a current averaging audio amplifier system inaccordance with an example embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a current averaging audio amplifiersystem in use in accordance with an example embodiment.

FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating current and power relationships in acurrent averaging audio amplifier system in accordance with an exampleembodiment.

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a user input device usable inaccordance with an example embodiment.

FIG. 12 is a front view of another user input device usable inaccordance with an example embodiment.

FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating charge and discharge conditions in acurrent averaging audio amplifier system in accordance with an exampleembodiment.

FIG. 14 is a block diagram illustrating inputs to a current averagingaudio amplifier system in accordance with an example embodiment.

FIG. 15 is a block diagram illustrating charge and discharge detectionand indicators in a current averaging audio amplifier system inaccordance with an example embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

A. Overview.

An example current averaging audio amplifier system 10 is connectable toa DC power source 20 and a load 30, and may generally comprise a powerinput 42 adapted to receive a DC electrical power from the power source20, which may be a DC power source, and may also be the power source ofa vehicle, such as a recreational vehicle. If so, the power source 20may comprise an alternator or generator 22 and a storage battery 24. TheDC electrical power comprises a DC input voltage. The system further mayinclude a voltage converter 40, which may be a DC/DC boost converter,the voltage converter 40 comprising an output 43 and being connected tothe power input 42, such that the voltage converter 40 can receiveelectrical power from the DC power source 20, wherein the voltageconverter 40 produces a DC output voltage at the output 43.

The system also includes a rechargeable battery 50 coupled to the output43 of the voltage converter 40, such that the voltage converter 40charges the rechargeable battery 50, and the audio amplifier system 10also includes an audio amplifier 60 that is powered by the rechargeablebattery 50 and the voltage converter 40 (the rechargeable battery 50 andthe voltage converter 40 may be connected by a direct, parallelconnection—i.e., with no intervening components between the output ofthe voltage converter 40 and the rechargeable battery 50), and is alsoconnectable to supply power to the load 30, wherein the average powersupplied to the audio amplifier 60 by the rechargeable battery 50 andthe voltage converter 40 in a finite period of time differs from theaverage power supplied by the DC power source 20 to the power input 42of the voltage converter 40 during the same finite period of time.

In some example embodiments, the voltage converter 40 drawscurrent-limited power from the DC power source 20, and further, the DCoutput 43 of the voltage converter 40 may comprise a regulated voltage.

In example embodiments where the voltage converter 40 (which may also bereferred to as a first voltage converter in embodiments where a secondboost converter is used) is a boost converter, the voltage output 44 ofthe rechargeable battery 50 will typically be greater than the DC inputvoltage from the DC power source 20. Further, the average power suppliedto the audio amplifier 60 in the finite time interval, in order toadequately power the load 30, is greater than the average power suppliedby the DC power source 20 to the power input 42 of the voltage converter40, typically when the finite time interval is short. Moreover, theaverage power supplied to the audio amplifier 60 by the rechargeablebattery 50 and the voltage converter 40 in the finite time period canalso be less than the average power supplied by the DC power source 20to the power input 42 of the voltage converter 40, typically when thefinite time period is long (relative to the above-referenced “short”interval).

In some example embodiments, the audio amplifier 60 comprises a powerinput 64 that is directly connected to the rechargeable battery 50 andfurther, since the voltage converter 40 can be connected in parallel tothe battery 50, the amplifier power input 64 is also directly connectedto the output of voltage converter 40. In other embodiments, the systemmay include a second DC/DC voltage converter 80, typically a boostconverter, coupled to and receiving power from the rechargeable battery50, the second, boost converter 80 coupled to provide power via output85 to the audio amplifier 60, wherein the power provided to the audioamplifier 60 has a DC voltage greater than a voltage of the rechargeablebattery 50. The second boost converter 80 may be a single stageconverter, or it may comprise multiple boost stages connected in series,parallel, or any combination of such connections.

In some example embodiments of the audio amplification system, thevoltage converter 40, the rechargeable battery 50, the boost converter80 and the audio amplifier 60 may be contained in a single, mechanicalenclosure 90, which may be a weatherproof or waterproof (or waterresistant) enclosure. In other embodiments, the voltage converter 40 andthe rechargeable battery 50 may be contained in a single enclosure 90 ofthe type discussed above. Either type of enclosure may be made to bedetachable, so that the rechargeable battery can power the audioamplifier 60 outside of a vehicle, and as discussed above, therechargeable battery 50 can be sized so that it can power the audioamplifier 60 for hours, or for an extended period of time, without beingpowered by a vehicle's battery or other DC power source.

B. Voltage Converter.

As discussed above, the system 10 may generally include a power input 42that receives DC electrical power from the power source 20, such as thepower source of a vehicle. The basic connection of these components isshown in FIGS. 2-4 (including 4A-4D). The power source 20 may have analternator 22 connected to charge a storage battery 24. The power source20 provides an input voltage, such as a DC voltage, to power input 42.This power input is provided to voltage converter 40, which may be aDC/DC boost converter. The voltage converter 40 may have an output 43that is connected to battery 50, such that the converter 40 chargesrechargeable battery 50.

The voltage converter 40 is current limited, and may have a regulatedoutput 43, so that regardless of the demands of the audio amplifier 60,the converter 40 will draw a continuous current or a limited current(depending on the charge level of rechargeable battery 50) from thepower source 20 and/or vehicle battery 24. The voltage converterprovides its output current to the audio amplifier such that the voltageconverter does not draw current from the DC power source in excess ofthe current limit set point. The voltage converter 40 also provides someof its output current to the rechargeable battery 50. The current drawof converter 40 can be selected by design or can be manually input by auser, with the only requirement being that the long-term average powerdelivered from power source 20 to battery 50 meets the average powerneeds of amplifier 60, as discussed in detail below. As is known, asrechargeable battery 50 becomes fully charged, the power and currentsupplied by vehicle battery 24 to the amplification system 10 will fall,and may be or approach zero, especially if demands on amplifier 60 aresmall at a particular time.

Thus, the first DC/DC converter 40 functions essentially as a batterycharger, and may in example embodiments be a battery charger, and it mayalso provide for electrical isolation between the vehicle's power source20 and the amplifier system's power supply, which comprises the voltageconverter 40 and rechargeable battery 50, but may include an additionalboost converter or multiple additional converters. The voltage converter40 may share a common ground with the vehicle.

In addition, the DC/DC converter 40 may include, or be controlled by, acontrol unit 46, which may include a microprocessor and appropriateinterface circuitry to receive inputs from various sensors at controlunit input/output interface 45 to monitor the state of charge ortemperature of rechargeable storage battery 50, incoming voltage fromthe power source 20 and/or vehicle battery 24, inputs from other stagesor circuits of the system 10, or environmental factors such astemperature. An example of this configuration is shown in FIG. 3.Sensors usable with control unit 46 can include, for example,temperature sensors, current sensors, voltage sensors or lead wires toconduct battery voltage to interface circuitry of the control unit 46 orDC/DC converter 40. The control unit 46 may also include or be connectedto a user interface, via a wireless antenna 47 and wireless interface110, or a wired interface 100 connected to input/output interface 45.The wired or wireless user interface allows a user to control the system10, or part of it, for example, by manually entering, changing, oradjusting a current limit set point. Thus, the control unit 46 may givea user the option to manually select the maximum allowable current inputfrom the power source 20 and/or vehicle battery 24, or the current limitset point can be set “intelligently” by programming of themicroprocessor using any or all of the above inputs to determine anoptimal or efficient current limit level. The current level may optimizecharge conditions and protect the vehicle battery 24, the power source20 and the rechargeable storage battery 50.

An example wired interface 100 is shown in FIGS. 11 and 14. The wiredinterface 100 may include a control 102 for manually adjusting thecurrent limit set point of the voltage converter 40. The wired interface100 shown has fixed indicators for the current level, but a digital ormulti-segment display may also be used. In the example shown, the unitindicators are in amperes, and represent the maximum current that thevoltage converter will draw from a vehicle's electrical system, or otherDC power source. The wired interface 100 may provide an analog ordigital signal to control unit 46, which may be appropriately stored andused for the manually adjustable current limit set point. The wiredinterface 100 may be connected to control unit 46 at input/outputinterface 45, as shown in FIG. 14.

In addition to provide a means for a user to provide a manual currentinput to establish a set point, wired interface 100 may also include acharge indicator 104, (or 115) which will typically provide a chargevisual indication in substantially real time (i.e., as fast as a signalcan be electronically converted, either using digital or analogtechniques) to indicate that rechargeable battery 50 is being charged byvoltage converter 40. The charge indicator 104 may be a green LED, andit may also comprise other components, such as lights or displayportions, as indicated by charge indicator 115 in FIGS. 12 and 14. Asshown in FIG. 13, this charge visual indication will be “ON” (i.e.,“GREEN”) when the current indicated by the curve being drawn by theaudio amplifier 60 is less than the current that the voltage converter40 can deliver when it is drawing current from DC power supply 20 belowthe current set point, indicated as I_(MAX) in FIG. 13.

The wired interface 100 may also include a discharge indicator 106, 116,such as a red LED, to provide a discharge visual indication insubstantially real time to indicate that rechargeable battery 50 isbeing discharged by supplying current to audio amplifier 60 that is inexcess of the current limit of voltage converter 40. For example, if thecurrent limit set point of voltage converter 40 is set at 2.1 amperes,the charge indicator may be on when the current drawn by amplifier 60 isless than the current that can be supplied by voltage converter 40 whenthe input current is less than 2.1 amperes, and the discharge indicatorwill be on when the current drawn by amplifier 60 is more than thecurrent that can be supplied by voltage converter 40 when the inputcurrent is limited at 2.1 amperes. As noted, the discharge indicator 106may be a red LED, and it may also comprise other components, such aslights or display portions, such as indicator 116 in FIGS. 12 and 14. Asshown in FIG. 13, the discharge visual indication will be “ON” (i.e.,“RED”) when the current (indicated by the curve) being drawn by audioamplifier 60 is more than the current that can be supplied by voltageconverter 40 when it is supplied with current in the amount of the setpoint, indicated as I_(MAX) in FIG. 13. A detector circuit 120, as shownin FIG. 15, may be used in association with current and voltage sensorsin the system in order to compare, in substantially real time, a signalrepresentative of the current (or power) drawn by amplifier 60 (e.g.,I_(SIG)) to a signal representative of the maximum current that thevoltage converter can deliver, as dictated by the set point (e.g.,I_(MAX)) in order to appropriately drive charge indicator 104, 115 anddischarge indicator 106, 116.

In addition to wired interface 100, a wireless interface 110 (see FIGS.12 and 14) may be used to accomplish the functions described above,doing so via antenna 47 of control unit 46. The wireless interface 110may communicate via Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, or other wireless signals.Wireless interface 110 may use a graphical representation as shown tosimulate a hardware device. Specifically, it may include a graphicalslider 112, which may be controlled by a user touching the display, andalso by hardware buttons 118. The wireless interface 110 may alsoprovide a digital representation 114 or possibly a simulated analogdisplay showing the current set point. The wireless interface 110 mayalso include its own charge indicator 115 and discharge indicator 116,which can be shown, for example, by green and red representations on ascreen or display. Further, even if a wireless interface 110 is used toadjust the current limit received by control unit 46 and provided to orimplemented by voltage converter 40, the charge indicator 104 and thedischarge indicator 106 or wired interface 100 (if present) may still beactive, and may respond more quickly to indicate charge/dischargestatus.

For charge variations that may be made by a microprocessor or othercircuitry in the control unit 46, factors relating to the battery typemay be considered. The battery type may be accounted for in theprogramming or logic of the control unit, and it also may be manuallychanged by a user via a user interface 100 or 110. For example, for somebattery types a partial charge is acceptable, and for others, a fullcharge is best. Also, for Lithium-ion (which may be used forrechargeable battery 50) or some other battery types, it may bedesirable not to charge below freezing or above about 122° F., so thecontrol unit may limit or reduce charging current under theseconditions. Conditions for other types of batteries may also beaccounted for. In addition to environmental temperature, as mentioned,the rechargeable storage battery 50 may have a temperature sensorincluded on the battery or its case, to provide an input to the controlunit 46, such that the battery 50 is kept relatively cool or below acertain temperature, by removing, reducing, or tapering the charge asthe battery 50 heats up or nears full charge.

It is possible that voltage converter 40 is a boost converter, whichprovides a higher voltage at its output 43 than the voltage it receivesat its input 42. This allows the rechargeable storage battery 50 to havea higher nominal voltage than the vehicle's system battery 24. As isknown, such a higher voltage is advantageous when driving a load, suchas stereo speakers, from a vehicle system, because a vehicle's typical12-volt system cannot drive high current into the load, simply due tothe relationship between current, voltage, and impedance (i.e., ohm'slaw). In addition, if an amplifier's power supply voltage is just 12volts, an input signal that calls for a transient output greater than 12volts can result in clipping of the output.

The higher voltage output of the DC/DC converter 40 (if a higher voltageis used) can also contribute to the isolation of power between thevehicle system and the amplifier, such that the power, and especiallythe dynamic power, supplied to amplifier 60 can be different from thepower supplied by the vehicle system 20 and vehicle battery 24 at theinput 42.

C. Rechargeable Battery.

As discussed above, the system 10 may also include a rechargeablebattery 50 (i.e., a chemical/electrical battery, such as a lithium-ionbattery) that is connected to and charged by DC/DC converter 40. Thisfeature can be contrasted to the prior art shown for example in FIG. 1,which has a voltage converter but no second battery. Such a system maywork for low power use, but can become problematic for vehicles, such asrecreational vehicles, ATVs, boats, golf carts, hybrid vehicles, orsport utility vehicles, etc. Although usable with any type of vehicle,the amplifier system 10 may have particular utility in vehicles orapplications with smaller, relatively low-capacity electrical systems20, as will be explained further below. As one possible application, anexample system 10 is represented in FIG. 9, as installed in a golf cart,with an enclosure 90. The output of the amplifier of the system 10 willtypically be connected to drive speakers/load 30.

The cost of rechargeable batteries has declined recently, making systemssuch as those illustrated herein more economical, and having betterperformance, than other systems used to overcome the problems with audiosystems such as that shown in FIG. 1. For example, one system that hasbeen used to provide high transient power uses capacitors,ultracapacitors, or a super capacitor bank, as shown and described inU.S. Pat. No. 7,239,206, issued to Anthony D'Amore on Jul. 3, 2007,which is hereby fully incorporated by reference.

The energy density of rechargeable batteries currently available is muchhigher than the best capacitors available, and as mentioned, the cost isalso lower due to the extensive use of such batteries in electricvehicles. Although depicted in FIGS. 2-6 and 8 as a single unit, battery50 may be comprised of any number of batteries connected in serial,parallel, or combinations thereof to achieve the capacity and voltagedesired. The rechargeable battery 50 may be a lithium-ion battery. Asshown in FIGS. 2-4, the positive terminal and the negative terminal ofbattery 50 is connected both to the output 43 of voltage converter 40and either the power input 64 of audio amplifier 60 or the input 84 ofconverter 80. This parallel connection allows both the voltage converter40 and battery 50 to simultaneously provide current to audio amplifier60 of a second converter 80.

The rechargeable battery 50 acts as a buffer and as an energy reservoirfrom which amplifier 60 can draw power as needed—especially during highpower transients, without any effect on the power draw from thevehicle's battery 24. Because music is highly dynamic in nature, musicalpeaks can require as much as ten times more current from an amplifiersystem's power supply than the average current demand. Without thecurrent system, these peaks must be supplied by the vehicle power source20. In small vehicles that lack robust electrical systems, suchtransient, high current or power consumption can be problematic,possibly causing computer glitches, warning lights, and driveabilityissues. These problems are eliminated with the system shown, especiallythrough the use of a second battery or power storage. The rechargeablebattery 50 may have sufficient capacity to power the amplifier forextended periods of time, without any power or current from power source20.

As discussed above, the capacity of the rechargeable battery 50 is high,such that it is capable of supplying the audio amplifier 60 with all thecurrent it requires, even without the help of the voltage converter 40.The rechargeable battery 50 may be sized such that it can deliver atleast five times the current supplied by the voltage converter 40. Inaddition, the rechargeable battery 50 may include internal controlcircuitry that includes a sensor that provides a voltage, current, orother signal that indicates or corresponds to a charge or dischargestate, which may in turn be used by any part of the system 10 to drivethe charge indicator 104, 115, or the discharge indicator 105, 116. Therechargeable battery 50 may also have its own current limit set by thedesign of the battery's internal control mechanism to protect itselfagainst over-discharge from a malfunction or short circuit condition.

D. Amplifier.

Amplifiers are devices that accept a varying input signal and produce anoutput signal that varies in the same way as the input, but with alarger amplitude or higher power. An electronic amplifier is a devicefor increasing the power of a signal, which is typically in the form ofa current or a voltage. The amplifier does this by taking power from apower supply and shaping the output to match the input signal (such asan input signal from a head unit or signal source 70). This processinvariably introduces some noise and distortion into the signal, and theprocess is not completely efficient.

Amplifiers are an essential component in car audio applications. A stockvehicle audio system refers to exactly what was specified by themanufacturer when the vehicle, such as a car or boat, was built. Acustom vehicle audio installation could include an upgrade of the stockradio, and may also include an upgrade of the amplification system,speakers, power supply system, and other components. One common andfamiliar piece of audio equipment for vehicles is a signal source suchas a radio/tape player/CD player/MP3 player or input for MP3 support,which is generically described as a head unit. Modern head unitstypically have MP3 support which allows users to play music as desiredfrom a phone or MP3 player through the vehicle sound system, viaBluetooth interface.

In the present system, the first DC/DC converter 40 and the rechargeablebattery 50 can be used to drive an audio amplifier 60 that is coupled toa load 30. Amplifier 60 can be any type of amplifier. Amplifier circuitsare typically classified as A, B, AB, and C for analog designs, andclass D and E for Switching designs. For the analog classes, each classdefines what proportion of the input signal cycle is used to actuallyswitch on the amplifying device. Class A amplifiers use the entire inputsignal. Class B amplifiers use half of the input signal. Class ABamplifiers use more than half of the input signal, but less than all ofit. Class C amplifiers use less than half of the input signal.

The audio amplifier 60 has a power input 64 that can be directlyconnected to the rechargeable battery 50, as shown, for example, in FIG.2. In other embodiments, the system may include a second DC/DC voltageconverter 80, typically a boost converter, coupled to and receivingpower from the rechargeable battery 50, the second converter, boostconverter 80 coupled to provide power via output 85 to the audioamplifier 60, wherein the power provided to the audio amplifier 60 has aDC voltage greater than a voltage of the rechargeable battery 50. Thesecond boost converter 80 may be a single stage converter, or it maycomprise multiple boost stages connected in series, parallel, or anycombination of such connections.

As shown in FIGS. 2-6, audio amplifier 60 is configured to consume powerfrom the vehicle power source 20 on a long-term averaging basis, whileits peak power needs are met by rechargeable battery 50 and/or voltageconverter 40, which can power audio amplifier 60 at the same time asbattery 50. This configuration has advantages over conventional systems,such as the system of FIG. 1. For example, in FIG. 1, amplifier 27 usespower from the vehicle power source 20 on an instantaneous basis, sincethere is no additional energy storage between battery 24 and amplifier27. Accordingly, electrical power source 20 must be capable of supplyingthe maximum power required to amplify the peak amplitude of the inputsignal. In contrast, the inclusion of converter 40 and battery 50eliminates the need to have a primary power source that can continuouslysupply the maximum power or current requirements of amplifier 60.Instead, amplifier 60 only requires that power source 20 is able toprovide sufficient power to meet its average power requirements, evenwhen peak, momentary requirements are high. As such, the inclusion ofbattery 50 allows for the use of a more powerful amplifier 60 relativeto a vehicle's power source capacity. Amplifier 60 also includes anoutput 62 that is connectable to a load 30, which are the vehicle'sspeakers. The system can supply any number of speakers, as is known invehicle audio systems currently in use.

E. Enclosure.

As best shown in FIG. 7, amplifier system 10, or portions of it, may beenclosed in a mechanical enclosure 90. Such enclosures are typicallyused in vehicle audio systems to protect electronic components from theenvironment and impacts, etc. Enclosure 90 may include signal and powerinterfaces as shown, as well as others. For example, enclosure 90 mayinclude terminals or connectors for power input 42, voltage output 44(from battery 50), signal input 66, and amplifier output 62, which maybe an output to drive any number of speakers comprising load 30 of thesystem 10.

As mentioned, it is not necessary for all components of the system 10 tobe contained within the enclosure 90. For example, as shown in FIG. 4A,the enclosure may be used just for DC/DC converter 40 and battery 50,which would allow the system to provide power to any audio system whilestill providing the benefits of the system 10. As shown in FIG. 4B,individual components of the system such as DC/DC converter 40,rechargeable battery 50, and amplifier 60 may be contained in separateenclosures 90 a, 90 b, and 90 c, respectively.

As shown in FIGS. 4C and 8, DC/DC converter 40, rechargeable battery 50,and amplifier 60 may be contained in a single enclosure 90, and further,in the alternative embodiment that includes a second boost DC/DCconverter 80, all of the main components of the system 10 can beincluded within the enclosure 90, as shown in FIG. 4D. Of course, withdifferent embodiments of FIGS. 4A through 4D, different outputsproviding interfaces outside of the enclosure will be needed, and thusthe connector/terminal configuration may differ, and include more orfewer inputs/outputs than shown in FIG. 7.

F. Second Boost DC/DC Converter.

The amplification system 10 can be used with or without a second DC/DCboost converter 80 having an input 84, which may be connected to therechargeable battery 50, and an output 85. The second boost converter 80may be connected between rechargeable battery 50 and amplifier 60 toprovide a higher input voltage to amplifier 60, which in turn makes iteasier for the amplifier to provide high transient current to load 30.However, as discussed above, this may not be necessary, depending on thenominal output voltage of rechargeable battery 50. With the use of asecond boost converter 80, it is not strictly necessary for the voltageof rechargeable battery 50 to be greater than that of vehicle battery 24for the system to work. For example, even if the voltages of batteries24 and 50 are the same or nearly so, the presence of rechargeablebattery 50 and DC/DC converter 40 will still provide the isolation andenergy storage that results in the advantages described herein. Statedanother way, rechargeable battery 50 will still be able to accommodatethe peak power and current needs of amplifier 60 without placing anadditional burden on power source 20, regardless of the voltage ofrechargeable battery 50.

As shown in FIG. 4D, for example, second boost converter 80 may becomprised of a single boost converter stage, and may have any knowncircuit topography to provide an increase in voltage between its input84 and its output 85. Alternatively, the second boost converter 80 maybe comprised of two or more DC/DC boost circuits or stages, such asstages 80 a and 80 b, connected in series, as shown in FIG. 5, with anoutput 85 connected to input 64 of amplifier 60. In still anotherpossible configuration, converter 80 may be comprised of two or morecircuits or stages such as stages 80 c and 80 d, connected in parallelas shown in FIG. 6, again with output 85 connected to input 64 ofamplifier 60. Finally, the second boost converter may be comprised ofany number of boost converter circuits configured in any suitableparallel/series combination.

G. Operation of Preferred Embodiment.

In use, amplifier 60 uses current supplied by a vehicle's power source20, for example, on an averaging basis, due to the constant or limitedcurrent draw of DC/DC converter 40. Thus, battery 24 and alternator 22function as the primary source 20 of power for the amplifier system 10,and specifically, amplifier 60.

Head unit/signal source 70 provides an electrical signal to amplifier 60at input 66, and the amplifier provides an amplified input signal to theload 30. Amplifier 60 increases the power of the input signal to driveload 30. During transients, amplifier 60 may require much more powerthan that supplied by power source 20 from the vehicle. Thisrelationship is illustrated in FIG. 10, which is not necessarily toscale. As shown, over a relatively short finite time interval t₁, thepower represented by line 63 used by amplifier 60, can easily exceed thepower indicated by line 65 supplied by the DC power source 20 to system10, via input 42 (i.e., the input of DC/DC converter 40). This is normaland expected because the power delivered to the system 10 by DC powersource 20 is or can be greater than the power used by the amplifier 60or load 30 over a longer term average.

The time interval t₁ can vary, but due to the relatively high energydensity of battery 50 (as selected by a designer based on systemrequirements), the system's advantages can be realized even when theinterval is 0.2 seconds, 0.5 seconds, 1 second, or more.

As also shown in FIG. 10, as the finite time interval increases tolength t₂ or longer, the power represented by line 63 is, on average,less than the power delivered by DC power source 20, represented by line65. When the power required by amplifier 60 or, ultimately is less thanthe power supplied to DC/DC converter 40, the excess power availablefrom DC power source 20 will typically be used by DC/DC converter 40 tocharge rechargeable battery 50 until more power is again required byamplifier 60. For example, during the charge period described, ifrechargeable battery 50 is significantly discharged, the charge currentsupplied by DC/DC converter 40 to rechargeable battery 50 may be at itsmaximum, but this level will still not overtax the DC supply, since thesystem (and particularly, converter 40) can be designed to provide alimited or constant current. Thus, the power supplied to system 10 by DCpower source 20 is the very long term average of the power required byamplifier 60, thus eliminating high peak current and power requirementson the vehicle's electrical power system 20 that a vehicle mightotherwise be unable to support. Instead, the high peak power and currentis provided by rechargeable battery 50, which is isolated from thevehicle's power system.

Because the voltage converter output 43 is connected in parallel withthe terminals of rechargeable battery 50, both will provide current toaudio amplifier 60 or one or more additional voltage converters, such asconverter 80. The voltage converter 40 has two control set points, onebeing voltage (i.e., its output), and the other being current. Thevoltage set point is fixed as part of the converter's design, and asdiscussed previously, the current is user adjustable. During operation,as the audio amplifier 60 draws current (e.g., from the lithium-ionbattery cells in parallel with the voltage converter 40), the currentwill be shared between the two sources, as follows. Due to the internalresistance of the lithium-ion cells, the voltage from the battery 50will drop under load as current flows through this internal resistance(IR drop). When this occurs, the voltage converter 40 will deliver morecurrent in accordance with its internal voltage regulator set point. Ifthe current input to the voltage converter 40 is less than the currentlimit set point, the voltage converter can supply all the currentrequired by the audio amplifier and can also charge the rechargeablebattery.

In this condition, the current/power demand of the amplifier 60 will besupplied from the voltage converter 40, and accordingly, the chargeindicator 104 or 115 will be on, providing a visual indication that therechargeable battery 50 is being charged (which also indicates that thecurrent/power demand of amplifier 60 is low relative to the current setpoint). When the current requirement of the audio amplifier 60 is lowerthan the current that corresponds to the current that can be supplied bythe voltage converter 40 when it is drawing current from the DC powersource 20, the charge indicator 104 or 115 will be on, as shown in FIG.13.

As the current drawn by the amplifier increases further, the currentsupplied by voltage converter 40 will increase as needed to maintain thevoltage at the design point. However, once the input current limit setpoint is reached, the voltage converter 40 will only deliver a constantcurrent to the battery, and accordingly, the current drawn from thevehicle system will not exceed the set point value. When the currentrequired by the amplifier 60 exceeds the constant current output of thevoltage converter 40 (which may be different from the current limit setpoint), the rechargeable battery 50 will supply additional current tothe amplifier to the extent that the requirement exceeds the constantcurrent amount being provided by the converter 40.

In this case, the voltage converter 40 and the rechargeable battery 50will each deliver a portion of the total current required by audioamplifier 60, and the discharge indicator 106 or 116 will be on. Thecurrent sharing will occur naturally since the rechargeable battery 50and the voltage converter 40 are connected in parallel, and both theconverter 40 and the battery 50 can simultaneously supply current/powerto the amplifier 60. The operation of the system can be optimized by auser as follows: while loud music is playing, the user can adjust thecurrent limit set point so that the charge indicator 104, 115, and thedischarge indicator 105, 116, are each on about half of the total time,in approximately equal time intervals. In practice, the dischargeindicator will typically be on momentarily during music peaks, and willgo off during lower volume passages, at which time the charge indicatorwill turn on. This is generally shown in FIG. 13, where the voltageconverter 40 is charging the battery 50 about half the time, and wherethe battery is supplying current to the amplifier, and thus isdischarging, about half the time.

Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used hereinhave the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill inthe art to which this invention belongs. Although methods and materialssimilar to or equivalent to those described herein can be used in thepractice or testing of the current averaging audio amplifier, suitablemethods and materials are described above. All publications, patentapplications, patents, and other references mentioned herein areincorporated by reference in their entirety to the extent allowed byapplicable law and regulations. The current averaging audio amplifiermay be embodied in other specific forms without departing from thespirit or essential attributes thereof, and it is therefore desired thatthe present embodiment be considered in all respects as illustrative andnot restrictive. Any headings utilized within the description are forconvenience only and have no legal or limiting effect.

What is claimed is:
 1. An audio amplification system for driving a load,the audio amplification system comprising: a power input adapted toreceive a DC electrical power from a DC power source, the DC electricalpower comprising a DC input voltage; a voltage converter comprising anoutput, the voltage converter connected to the power input, such thatthe voltage converter can receive electrical power from the DC powersource, wherein the voltage converter is adapted to draw a limitedcurrent from the DC power source, wherein the limited current does notexceed a manually adjustable current limit set point, and wherein thevoltage converter produces a DC output voltage at the output; arechargeable battery coupled to the output of the voltage converter,such that the voltage converter is adapted to charge the rechargeablebattery; and an audio amplifier adapted to be simultaneously powered bythe rechargeable battery and by the voltage converter, wherein the audioamplifier is further adapted to be coupled to the load to supply powerto the load, and wherein the average power supplied by the rechargeablebattery and by the voltage converter to the audio amplifier in a finitetime interval differs from an average power supplied by the DC powersource to the power input of the voltage converter.
 2. The audioamplification system of claim 1, wherein the DC output voltage of thevoltage converter comprises a regulated voltage.
 3. The audioamplification system of claim 1, wherein the voltage converter comprisesa boost converter.
 4. The audio amplification system of claim 1, whereinthe average power supplied to the audio amplifier in the finite timeinterval is greater than the average power supplied by the DC powersource to the power input of the voltage converter.
 5. The audioamplification system of claim 1, wherein the average power supplied tothe audio amplifier in the finite time interval is less than the averagepower supplied by the DC power source to the power input of the voltageconverter.
 6. The audio amplification system of claim 1, wherein theaudio amplifier comprises a power input that is directly connected tothe rechargeable battery.
 7. The audio amplification system of claim 1,wherein the manually adjustable current limit set point is adjustable bya user.
 8. The audio amplification system of claim 1, wherein the outputof the voltage converter and the output of the rechargeable battery areconnected in parallel such that the voltage converter and therechargeable battery can both supply power to the audio amplifier viadirect connection to a power input of the audio amplifier.
 9. The audioamplification system of claim 8, wherein the voltage converter and therechargeable battery each provide a portion of a total current to theaudio amplifier.
 10. The audio amplification system of claim 8, whereinthe voltage converter is adapted to provide an output current to theaudio amplifier such that the voltage converter does not draw currentfrom the DC power source in excess of the manually adjustable currentlimit set point, and wherein the rechargeable battery is adapted toprovide current to the audio amplifier when the current required by theaudio amplifier exceeds the output current supplied by the voltageconverter.
 11. The audio amplification system of claim 10, furthercomprising a charge indicator adapted to provide a charge visualindication in substantially real time when the voltage converter ischarging the rechargeable battery.
 12. The audio amplification system ofclaim 11, further comprising a discharge indicator adapted to provide adischarge visual indication in substantially real time when therechargeable battery is being discharged.
 13. A method of using theaudio amplification system of claim 12, comprising: receiving currentfrom the DC power source at the voltage converter; using the output toprovide a charging current to the rechargeable battery; using power fromthe rechargeable battery to provide power to the audio amplifier;receiving an input signal at the audio amplifier; amplifying the inputsignal using the audio amplifier; providing an amplified input signal tothe load; and adjusting the manually adjustable current limit set pointso that the charge indicator and the discharge indicator provide thecharge visual indication and the discharge visual indication inapproximately equal time intervals.
 14. The audio amplification systemof claim 1, wherein the voltage converter is adapted to provide acurrent to the audio amplifier that does not exceed a maximum currentthat can be supplied by the voltage converter operating at the manuallyadjustable current limit set point, and wherein the rechargeable batteryis adapted to provide current to the audio amplifier when the currentrequired by the audio amplifier exceeds the maximum current that can besupplied by the voltage converter operating at the manually adjustablecurrent limit set point.
 15. The audio amplification system of claim 1,further comprising a control unit adapted to receive a user input toadjust the manually adjustable current limit set point.
 16. The audioamplification system of claim 15, wherein the control unit is adapted toreceive a user input wirelessly.
 17. A method of using the audioamplification system of claim 1, comprising: adjusting the manuallyadjustable current limit set point; receiving current from the DC powersource at the voltage converter; using the output to provide a chargingcurrent to the rechargeable battery; using power from the rechargeablebattery and from the voltage converter to provide power to the audioamplifier; receiving an input signal at the audio amplifier; amplifyingthe input signal using the audio amplifier; and providing an amplifiedinput signal to the load; wherein the power supplied to the audioamplifier by the rechargeable battery and the voltage converter canexceed the power supplied by the DC power source for a finite period oftime.
 18. An audio amplification system for driving a load, the audioamplification system comprising: a power input adapted to receive a DCelectrical power from a DC power source, the DC electrical powercomprising a DC input voltage; a first voltage converter comprising anoutput, the first voltage converter connected to the power input, suchthat the first voltage converter can receive electrical power from theDC power source, wherein the first voltage converter is adapted to drawa limited current from the DC power source, wherein the limited currentdoes not exceed a manually adjustable current limit set point, andwherein the first voltage converter produces a DC output voltage at theoutput; a rechargeable battery coupled to the output of the firstvoltage converter, such that the first voltage converter is adapted tocharge the rechargeable battery; a second voltage converter having aninput and an output, the input connected to simultaneously receive powerfrom the rechargeable battery and from the first voltage converter,wherein the second voltage converter produces an output voltage that isgreater than a voltage of the rechargeable battery; and an audioamplifier adapted to be powered by the second voltage converter, whereinthe audio amplifier is further adapted to be coupled to the load tosupply power to the load, wherein the average power supplied by therechargeable battery to the second voltage converter in a finite timeinterval differs from an average power supplied by the DC power sourceto the power input of the first voltage converter.
 19. An audioamplification system for driving a load, the audio amplification systemcomprising: a power input adapted to receive a DC electrical power froma DC power source, the DC electrical power comprising a DC inputvoltage; a voltage converter comprising an output, the voltage converterconnected to the power input, such that the voltage converter canreceive electrical power from the DC power source, wherein the voltageconverter is adapted to draw a limited current from the DC power source,wherein the limited current does not exceed a manually adjustablecurrent limit set point, the manually adjustable current limit set pointbeing adjustable by a user, and wherein the voltage converter produces aDC output voltage at the output; a rechargeable battery coupled to theoutput of the voltage converter, such that the voltage converter isadapted to charge the rechargeable battery; an audio amplifiercomprising a power input, wherein the output of the voltage converterand the output of the rechargeable battery are connected in parallelsuch that the voltage converter and the rechargeable battery can bothsupply power to the audio amplifier via direct connection to the powerinput of the audio amplifier; a charge indicator adapted to provide acharge visual indication in substantially real time when the voltageconverter is charging the rechargeable battery; and a dischargeindicator adapted to provide a discharge visual indication insubstantially real time when the rechargeable battery is beingdischarged; wherein the audio amplifier is further adapted to be coupledto the load to supply power to the load; and wherein the average powersupplied by the rechargeable battery and by the voltage converter to theaudio amplifier in a finite time interval differs from an average powersupplied by the DC power source to the power input of the voltageconverter.
 20. A method of using the audio amplification system of claim19, comprising: receiving current from the DC power source at thevoltage converter; using the output to provide a charging current to therechargeable battery; using current from the rechargeable battery andfrom the voltage converter to provide current to the audio amplifier;receiving an input signal at the audio amplifier; amplifying the inputsignal using the audio amplifier; providing an amplified input signal tothe load; and adjusting the manually adjustable current limit set pointso that the charge indicator and the discharge indicator each providethe charge visual indication and the discharge visual indication inapproximately equal time intervals.